Martin Luther King, Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of the year, which is January 16 this year -- right around the corner! As much as Dr. King is acclaimed for his involvement in the civil rights movement, there has long been controversy over whether or not to dedicate a holiday to his name.

There's also an issue over whether employees and students should get the day off. By 2000, all 50 states had recognized the holiday, but in 2007 just 33% of employees had the day off. Not all schools get the day off, either. Some opt to hold special courses, assemblies, or seminars in lieu of, or in addition to, classes.Check out our MLK Day Quick Poll and voice your opinion on the ins-and-outs of the holiday. We'd love to hear from you!

I've often wondered this - if we have a Black History Month, an Asian Pacific Month, an Hispanic Heritage Month, etc., then why can't we have a Caucasian (non-Hispanic) month? Those of us who are Caucasian/non-Hispanic are just as proud of our heritage - and rightly so - as they are of theirs. So we either celebrate EVERY heritage or NONE.

Martin Luther King stood up against white racism, and he stood up against black racism. Although he was a leader of blacks, his message is universal - that love is our best hope, that forgiveness is possible, that the path to change is best achieved non-violently. King was a moral giant in a "modern" era that has all but forgotten the old ideals of morality, and justice. (And God)

No!! Many companies have elective days off for employees in addition to the usual X-mas , New Years, etc. Each employee decides what additional days he/she wants as a "holiday" and uses them accordingly. If a person believes that MLK's life should be honored by taking a day off in his memory then that is fine but it should not be mandated. I, personally, wouldn't take the day off and feel the same way about President's Day given a choice.

I won't be long until all you see is the MLK Day Sale, huh? Everything in America get's turned into a "Sale" Day. Memorial Day Sale, Labor Day Sale, Fourth of July Sale, President's Day Sale, and look what we've done to our Lord and Savior (Christ) in terms of making it the biggest commercial season of the year.

If this is a Federal Holiday then Yes. However I feel they should take all those who are special in history and make it a single day. That way there's no room for error or showing preferential treatment for one holiday over another

You are sick first off and a bigot. You should read the history books again cause your facts are off. Let me guess your a redneck right. I'm white and feel sorry for you. I'm sure your Christian to right. If so god would not like your words here today.

Yah why not he was such a powerful figure for his time, he completely changed the social strutare of this country. these great things he did for african american civil right are often and greatly over looked! He would of probably ended up president sooner or later

The man changed America (for the better)and did more for this country than many of the Presidents combined... I think people should have that day off to remember and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. And his works

I meant to say "no" & misclicked. National holidays have tradionally been reserved for either veteran or past presidents. MLK doen't fit any for those requirements. If Obama ever does anything special or unique (other than get a nobel for something obscure) then he could maybe get a holiday.

Why not this man accomplished a lot in his time even though he didn't do it by himself he meant much to many nonwhites and some whites.Well hell they have the statue of MLK in DC shouldn't that tell you haters something???????

This should be left up to the discression of the company you work for?
That's how it's done in my husband's place of business
He get's off July 4th, Thanksgiving & Christmas & Memorial Day.
The four big holidays.
But they don't take off President's day and also any Regilious holidays.
My dad used to give his worker's who were Catholic off on major holidays like
Good Friday and Rosh Hasanah/Yom Kipper off in Septemeber for Jewish workers.